Oman court sentences former executive to 15 years for bribery

On Sunday the Oman Court of First Instance sentenced the former executive of Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Muhammad Ali, to 15 years in prison and a fine of 1.7 million Omani rials for conviction in five cases of graft.

A similar sentence along with a smaller fine was given to Ali's deputy for being found guilty of being a direct accomplice. Ali was formerly sentenced to three years in jail in January for bribes paid to Petroleum Development Oman, allegedly to encourage contracts to be awarded to his company. These trials are part of an ongoing effort by Omani officials to eliminate corruption and graft in the nation's industries. Other former high officials have been convicted as well, including the CEO of the state-owned Oman Oil Company, sentenced to 23 years in prison for accepting bribes, laundering funds and abusing his office. Ali was not present in court when his sentence was handed down and has reportedly vowed to appeal the sentence and conviction.